Flexible key-ring.



No. 674,775. Patented May 2|, I90I. R. D. KNIGHT.

FLEXIBLE KEY RING.

(Ammann med Fab. 15, 1961.)

(No Model.)

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RICHARD D. KNIGHT, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

FLEXIBLE KEY-RING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 674,77 5, dated May 21, 1901.

Application filed February l5, 1901. serial No. 47,493. (No model.)

T0 c/,ZZ whom t 17m/y concern:

Beit known that I, RICHARD D. KNIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flexible Key- Rings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Like letters indicate like parts.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the ends of the chain portion of my improved exible key-ring and the locking means therefor in engagement. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one end of said chain and the holding-disk thereof, together with a diametrical section of the interiorly-threaded locking tube or barrel connected therewith. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the opposite end of said chain and the locking-disk therefor, together with a diametrical section of the eXteriorly-threaded locking tube or barrel connected therewith. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of said ends of the chain and their holding-disks, together with a section of said two locking tubes or barrels in engagement. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one end of said chain and of the first-named locking tube or barrel. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the opposite end of said chain and of the second-named locking tube or barrel.

My invention relates to a iiexible chain key-ring and locking devices therefor; and it consists of the novel construction and combination of the several elements, as hereinafter particularly described, and specifically set forth in the claim.

In the drawings, A represents one end of a chain, and B the opposite end. At the tip or extremity of the end A of the chain is sol.- dered or otherwise fastened a circular disk O, and on the tip or extremity of the opposite end B of the chain is similarly secured a circular disk D.

E is a tubular barrel having an interior screw-thread, as shown in Figs. Zand 4, and also an annular flange a, leaving a central aperture l), through which the chain freely passes.

F is a tubular barrel having an annular flange c, which leaves a central aperture d, through which the chain freely passes. A

tube G has one portion of its outer surface smooth, which lits in the bore ot' the barrel F and is secured there in position in any suitable mauner, and the other portion of said tube G is made with an exterior screw-thread, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. The tube G is of a less diameter than the barrel F, and therefore when inserted in position there is au annular shoulder c, formed, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 6. The unthreaded or cylindrical portion of the tube G is shorter than the barrel F and when inserted in the barrel leaves an annular recess f between the end of said tube G and the inner surface of the fiange c of the barrel F. As a consequence of this construction, when the disk D of the chain end B has been placed in the barrel F the inner end of the tube G prevents the chain from longitudinal movement within the barrel F, although it does not interfere with the rotary movement of the barrel F upon the chain B or of the chain B within the barrel F. In like manner when the tube G is screwed into the barrel E, as the threaded portion of the tube G is shorter than the barrel E, there is formed an annular space between the end of the tube G and the inner surface of the ange a, and the chain end A is prevented from longitudinal movement in either direction, although a rotary movement of the barrel E upon the chain end A is allowed. The tube G should be screwed into the barrel E until the end of the barrel E comes into snug contact with the shoulder c of the tube G, as shown in Figs. l and 4.

A flexible chain, preferably having close links and provided with locking devices, as shown, constitutes a very desirable means of safely carrying keys in the pocket and is much superior to the rigid or split spring-ring commonly used. The keys are easily placed upon this exible ring, because each locking-barrel is so small in diameter as to readily pass through the bow of the key.

By means of the holding-disks C D the detaching of the ends A B of the chain from the locking-barrels E F is prevented.

It is seen that the locking-barrels are rotatable upon the chain both when separate and when screwed together, and by this arrangement the barrels E F are screwed together without kinking the chain, which would be impossible if either or bot-h of said barrels were soldered upon the chain or otherwise immovably fastened thereto. It is necessary that both the harrelsE Fshould swivel freely 5 on the chain, for if one of said barrels is fast upon the chain and the other is loose thereon then although the loosely-turning barrel may be engaged With the other barrel Without kinking the chain, yet by the Various movements to 1o which the iieXible ring and the bunch of keys zo on and at the opposite end the circular disk D fastened thereon, the cylindrical lockingbarrel E having an interior screw-thread, the inwardly-directed annular flange a, and the central aperture b through Which said chain passes, the cylindrical locking-barrel F having the inwardly-directed annular flange c and the central aperture d through Which said chain passes, and also having the tubular eX- tension G fitting in the bore of the barrel F so as to leave an interior annular recess fand an exterior shoulder e, the protruding portion of which tubular extension is exteriorly screwthreaded and engageable with said interiorlyscrew-threaded cylindrical locking-barrel E, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

RICHARD D. KNIGHT.

l/Vitnesses WARREN R. PERCE, JOSEPH R. BULLOOK, Jr. 

